takarakei's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
(Reread on audio) MY GOD THIS BOOK!!!! Helen Hoang I am in your walls.
This is not a lighthearted romance (jail to anyone using that tag here???). Anna deals with a LOT of really hard things throughout the book. But everything that happens, while difficult to read, is handled with such raw realness. Quan is everything and I will protect him bodily forever.
This is not a lighthearted romance (jail to anyone using that tag here???). Anna deals with a LOT of really hard things throughout the book. But everything that happens, while difficult to read, is handled with such raw realness. Quan is everything and I will protect him bodily forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Medical trauma, Grief, Medical content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Racism
I really don't know why 'cancer' has been tagged because Anna's father is unwell due toSpoiler
a stroke... There is a lot of caretaker exhaustion. Anna is diagnosed as autistic which especially her sister responds poorly to (telling her she's not). She struggles with masking and the diagnosis due to that response. Anna eventually spirals into a severe depression.solspringsreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Excrement, Death of parent, Grief, Ableism, Terminal illness, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
booksandlooksss's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
wow.
This was seriously devastating. I think this is definitely more along the lines of women's fiction for sure, since the romance took a back seat to everything going on within the plot.
I would definitely check trigger warnings before reading or listening to this. This whole story just made me feel for Anna. Anna receives life changing news from her therapist in learning that she's autistic. She's in a toxic situation with her sister, who gaslights Anna into doing things against her wishes while also gaslighting her that she doesn't have Autism.
This whole story is Anna's journey with herself and her mind. As the book continues, things just keep piling on top of each other. Her dad suffers a massive stroke and she is tasked with taking care of him. This part of the story is honestly so devastating to listen to and you truly feel for Anna and what she's going through.
The romance elements with Quan definitely help lighten up the story for sure. He's the sweetest and I love how supportive he is for Anna their entire relationship.
Overall, it's seriously a fantastic read. Frustrating at times and honestly devastating, but that's what makes this book special.
If you want a more emotional reading experience, I recommend listening to this on audio.
This was seriously devastating. I think this is definitely more along the lines of women's fiction for sure, since the romance took a back seat to everything going on within the plot.
I would definitely check trigger warnings before reading or listening to this. This whole story just made me feel for Anna. Anna receives life changing news from her therapist in learning that she's autistic. She's in a toxic situation with her sister, who gaslights Anna into doing things against her wishes while also gaslighting her that she doesn't have Autism.
This whole story is Anna's journey with herself and her mind. As the book continues, things just keep piling on top of each other. Her dad suffers a massive stroke and she is tasked with taking care of him. This part of the story is honestly so devastating to listen to and you truly feel for Anna and what she's going through.
The romance elements with Quan definitely help lighten up the story for sure. He's the sweetest and I love how supportive he is for Anna their entire relationship.
Overall, it's seriously a fantastic read. Frustrating at times and honestly devastating, but that's what makes this book special.
If you want a more emotional reading experience, I recommend listening to this on audio.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Ableism
lost_windsock's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book. This book had me so full of feels. I was absolutely furious for Anna. The way her family treated her, and the way she felt trapped in her own mind, unable to say no, was devastating to sit through. I wanted to jump into the pages and shout NO for her! It was truly heartbreaking to see that no one would listen to her. Except Quan. Sweet, loving, caring Quan. What a journey he'd been through between the second book and this one. Quan was always one of my favorite characters, and while his story had a painful tinge in this book, it was still just perfectly him to be there for Anna and learn to trust himself again. This book made me feel so many things, and I just could not have loved it more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Cancer, Death of parent, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
shindanker's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Ableism, and Terminal illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
abitbetterbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I loved this book. It was heart wrenching and painful but also sweet and romantic. The development of Anna and Quan’s relationship over time was well-crafted and felt unbelievably real. My heart broke for the both of them as they struggled to reckon with their own baggage and tried and failed to open up to each other, until they finally did.
While technically a romance, I think this book is so much more. It dealt with ableism and the crushing weight of expectation to conform to neurotypical standards and familial obligation; the depth of sorrow and grief of caregiving for an ailing family member; the isolation of one’s own mind the barriers to communication; healing from past trauma and trying to see yourself as whole again, trying to be the person you once were again; the constant uphill battle of inadequacy, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and shame; being able to love yourself as much as you love another person; choosing to love a person who allows you to show up as your full, true self.
I loved this book and tore through it in a matter of days. Definitely my favourite of the trilogy; I hope for more like this from Helen Hoang!
While technically a romance, I think this book is so much more. It dealt with ableism and the crushing weight of expectation to conform to neurotypical standards and familial obligation; the depth of sorrow and grief of caregiving for an ailing family member; the isolation of one’s own mind the barriers to communication; healing from past trauma and trying to see yourself as whole again, trying to be the person you once were again; the constant uphill battle of inadequacy, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and shame; being able to love yourself as much as you love another person; choosing to love a person who allows you to show up as your full, true self.
I loved this book and tore through it in a matter of days. Definitely my favourite of the trilogy; I hope for more like this from Helen Hoang!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Medical content, Ableism, Cancer, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Minor: Classism and Suicidal thoughts
loquitacass's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical trauma, Medical content, Ableism, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Excrement
Minor: Vomit
kirareadssometimes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
While I really enjoyed this book I feel a bit disappointed that sweet, happy, kind Quan got such a sad book. I know the book was more focused on Anna but I just want the best for that perfect man. As someone who struggles with their mental health I hope that one day I can find someone who is as gentle and steadfast a partner as Quan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Infertility
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
jesseeeka's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, Cancer, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Gaslighting, Classism, Ableism, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity
n_binversie99's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Mental illness